Will and Kate

Now I am sure that everyone has seen the pictures and watched the replays and many of you will have even sat in your living rooms with friends watching the Big Day; as Kate revealed 'the dress' for the firs time and everyone found out that Sarah - who apparently has had an awful year - was the chosen designer, and ohhh how she deserved it blah blah blah.....
So how was it for us? Over a nice slice of toast and marmite and coffee we watched highlights on BBC UK News and oh'ed and ah' ed in all the right places. Rose sat transfixed and has spent the day talking about Princess Kate and Owen just wanted the watch the jet plane fly past and then was bored. This afternoon we invited Owen's school friends and parents to the park for an English picnic. Cucumber , ham and egg mayonnaise sandwiches, strawberries and cream, homemade scones with cream and jam ending with red white and blue jelly with whipped cream and blueberries. Red juice in union jack cups, napkins and blue spoons. Perfect..... but totally lost on the children, who just wanted to play with sticks and mud!!!!!

Just a little note on scones, as I have had to research this to get it right. There is a difference between English and American scones and there is a debate as to using milk or yogurt or even sour cream. So eventually I came up with a recipe which seemed to follow the english principles but with american measurements (as we have no scales, only cups). Any thoughts? They went down well but who knows if people tell the truth or not!

Scones - makes 8
Ingredients
2 cups /225g self raising flour
1/2 stick/55g cold butter
1 level tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 pint / 150 ml milk
1 egg beaten with a little milk

Preparation:
Heat the oven to Heat the oven to 400°F/205°C/Gas 6
Grease and flour a baking sheet.
Sieve the flour into a roomy baking bowl then add the butter, baking powder and salt. Quickly rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
Make a well in the center and using a dinner knife, stir in enough milk to make a soft, pliable dough.
Turn the mixture on to a floured board and knead very lightly until just smooth then lightly roll out to 2cm / 3/4" thick.
Cut rounds with a 7.5cm/3" cutter or cut into triangles with a sharp knife.
Place on the baking tray and brush with the beaten egg and milk mixture. Bake near the top of the hot oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown and well risen.
Cool on a wire rack before eating.


Love Jo x